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Architect

I want to be one
Who This Career is For?
Becoming an architect is something that anyone can do after meeting the qualifications required. However, becoming a successful architect is something that only a few can achieve. To become a successful architect, the individual needs to possess many qualities such as having good mathematical skills, excellent communication skills, being organized and able to work in teams, a creative mind that can look at things from different angles and the ability to meet deadlines.

Apart from these qualities, the individual should be able to solve problems when they arise, be willing to work long hours and most importantly, be able to handle pressure. If you feel that you have all these qualities, then you should follow the path of architecture.
Want to know more about it?
One of the oldest professions in the world is architecture. Architects are required to design new structures, as well as transform old ones. Working as an architect, one must be very careful to make new creations aesthetically pleasing, but also adhere to strict safety standards. An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of a structure or redesigning existing structures within a building.

When designing a building, the first thing that an architect needs to do is meet with the client and get their input on what exactly they want. The architect will also have to do extensive research on the right location of the project and determine the exact construction materials that will be used during the process. The architect will then, keeping these factors in mind, produce primary sketches for the client’s approval.

If the primary sketches don’t meet the needs of the client then they are revised and approved. After the client’s approval has been gained, the final sketches and blueprints are produced and given to the construction crew. Architects are usually required to meet other people who work in related occupations such as engineers and quality surveyors. The architect must also carry out site visits routinely to make sure that the construction or redesigning of the structure is going according to plan.

As an architect, you will have many responsibilities that you have to carry out. The structure that you design must be both safe as well as pleasing to the eye. Architects also have tight deadlines and it is the main responsibility of the architect to make sure that work is completed on time and the client does not lose extra money unnecessarily.

There are three types of degrees that are offered by colleges and universities to get an architects degree. First is a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture programs intended for students entering programs from high school or with no previous architectural training, Second is a 2-year Master of Architecture programs for students with a pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture or a related area and thirdly comes a 3 or 4-year Master of Architecture programs offered to students with degrees in other disciplines.

These degrees are necessary for the architect to become licensed in the United States. To become licensed, the individual must t earn a professional degree in architecture, complete a period of practical training or internship, and pass all divisions of the ARE (Architect Registration Examination). In most states, continuing education is required to maintain licensure.

Generally, the professional degree in architecture must be from a school of architecture that is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). In the United Kingdom, qualifying as an architect involves a three-step process which can take up to seven years to complete. First, the candidate must complete a 3-4 year degree course in architecture at a recognized college or university.

After this, the candidate can choose to take a year or two out to work as an architect. After this, it is important to take on two years of full-time study at the end of which a Post Graduate Diploma or Masters degree is earned by the candidate. This involves gaining at least another year of work experience at an architect’s office. Lastly, the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Exam in Professional Practice and Management has to be taken.

What are Salary Prospects?
Architects salaries have been rising since the past couple of years, depending upon the experience of the architect. In the UK, assistant architects earn approximately £20,000 per year, while those with graduate qualifications received in the range of £29,000 to £32,000. A full-time architect will normally be paid between £32,000 and £40,000 per annum, and typical senior level salaries are often as high as £80,000.

In India, the salaries for architects range between Rs. 150,000 to Rs. 1,300,000 per year including bonuses and profit sharing; depending upon the level, qualifications and fame of the architect. Architects usually get paid vacations, have retirement plans and medical, vision, dental and life insurance plans that are offered to them.
How is Life?
There is a lot of hard work involved if you plan to become an architect. Architects have to put in long hours to finish their work and mostly spend their time in the office or at the construction site, overseeing the progress of the construction. In 2008, approximately 1 out of 5 architects worked more than 50 hours per week in the US because working long hours as well as working during nights and weekends is essential to meet the deadlines.

Employment is done on a contractual basis where clients seek out architects to work on their projects. Architects have a very dangerous work environment when they are at the construction site. Protective gear must be worn at all times because of the dangers of falling materials. The work itself is very rewarding because it is every architects dream to see their designs transform into reality.
What Perks come along with this career?
There are many perks of becoming an architect. The main advantage is that it is an interesting job with a lot of variety. You don’t do the same thing every single week, instead architects work on various tasks in the project. It is also a very creative and challenging job thus making sure that you will reach your full potential while working.

Meeting the client’s expectations as well as making the structure your own is a challenging, yet creative task. You also meet a lot of new people as architects. Interacting and working with people who are in different professions is part of the job description for an architect. Lastly, another perk to add to the list is that the work architects do really matter. To see a design that they constructed being used for something useful such as a hospital or museum is very satisfying for the individual.
Which Downsides are there in this career?
The biggest downside of being an architect is that the work is not always flowing; it depends upon the condition of the economy. Thus just becoming an architect and expecting jobs is not the right way to go. Another downside is that to become an architect, a lot of time and expense is spent on the schooling. It takes approximately 10-15 years to become a fully qualified architect (don’t worry; you can work in between as well).

Internships are also mandatory to get somewhere in this field. Another downside to becoming an architect is that once you get all your degrees and have done all your internships, the job doesn’t pay as well as you may have hoped it would thus making it a disappointment for most people.
How is Competition?
Employment of architects is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2018. Over the next ten years, the architectural industry is expected to grow by 17.7%, and is expected to be one of the fasted growing occupations.

Prospective architects may face competition for positions at esteemed firms and so should try to do a large number of internships to improve their resumes. Only 1.5% of architects today are unemployed so there is a minimum competition in the industry and only 6.1% or architects are under employed or are part time architects.
Locations where this career is good?
Most architects are located in urban areas, although a few may be located in rural areas.

Necessary Qualifications
B.Tech.
Other users who liked this career
Lovejeet Kumar

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